Gail Louise Norris was born October 30, 1950 in Youngstown, Ohio the first born child of three children born to James B. Thomas and the late Elizabeth Hazel Thomas. She departed this life Thursday, April 13, 2017, at her home in Winthrop Harbor, Illinois surrounded by her loving family.

Gail graduated from South High school in 1968 and attended Tennessee State University, graduating with a degree in Education in 1972. She continued her education at Webster University where she received her Masters of Art degree in 2004

Gail taught several years at North High School in the Youngstown City School district. She also worked for the government for 35 years, in the Naval Fleet, Naval Housing and Family Services Center, before retiring in January 2015. She also worked for the Great Lakes Community College of Lake County where she taught and counseled students for over ten years; with the Lake County Connection Bureau; the Small Business Administration; and became an advocate for veterans.